Sockers avoid three-game losing streak, beat Sonora 9-6

After a close 8-7 overtime loss to the Monterrey Flash on February 3rd, the San Diego Sockers made sure that their second match in Mexico didn’t end in the same fashion on the shorter field of the Soles de Sonora.

The main number of the day: Three.

That is the number of goals scored by the Sockers in the first, third, and fourth quarter. Leading the charge in each quarter was Kraig Chiles, who scored a goal in each of the quarters mentioned above to get his first hat trick of the season.

In fact, the offense was gelling so well throughout the game that San Diego could literally throw the ball into the net for a goal, which is precisely what goalkeeper Boris Pardo did in the final seconds of the game.

However, three were also the number of goals scored by the Soles in the second quarter. A barrage of goals by Jesus Alberto Avendano and Gustavo Rosales put the score at 4-3 in favor of Sonora at the end of the second quarter.

Again, a familiar scene was being played out, as San Diego was down again at halftime. But after being down an coming back against Monterrey in their previous match, the Sockers were more than comfortable down one to Sonora.

Sonora would only score two more goals for the rest of the game. San Diego, on the other hand, rattled the back of the net six times in the second half.

Two of those came thanks to Chiles. Another came from Slavisa Ubiparipovic, who has now scored a goal in four straight matches. Eddie Velez closed out the third quarter by scoring his fourth goal of the season.

Brandon Escoto, who has been in a season-long funk, added on to the outpour of goals with a score of his own. It was his second goal in the past three games. He later was credited with an assist on Chiles’ third and final goal of the night.

The Sockers are now 2-2 on the road trip with wins against Harrisburg and Sonora and losses against Baltimore and Monterrey. The team has been impressive on offense by scoring 28 goals, but the defense has been slightly sloppy by allowing 28 goals to score.

However, the road trip has seen a return to form for Chiles, who has now scored eight goals and 11 total points in four straight games.

San Diego will now travel to the state of Florida to continue its long and toiling road trip. First, they will go up against the 1-10 Orlando Seawolves then play the 12-1 Florida Tropics two days later before getting to return home.

I am currently attending San Diego State University while working on achieving a major in journalism. At SDSU, I write for The Daily Aztec while also hosting the sports radio show "Picked Off", for KCR Radio. A loyal fan of San Diego sports, I hope to bring content that you will enjoy reading.